IMPHAL: An Assam Rifles Colonel, his family members and four jawans were gunned down by militants in an ambush in Manipur’s Churachandpur district along Myanmar border on Saturday.
People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is suspected to carry out the cowardly attack by firing upon the convoy of Assam Rifles Colonel Viplav Tripathi, killing him, his wife Anuja, their 8-year-old son Abeer, three Quick Reaction Team (QRT) jawans and the driver on the spot. Also Read & Watch: Sent Manipur Police Commandos To Aid Assam Rifles, Will Hunt Down Attackers: CM Biren Singh
Reports say Colonel Viplav Tripathi, the Commanding Officer of the 46 Assam Rifles, was on his way, along with his wife & son, to supervise a civic action programme in Churachandpur when the dastardly incident took place. This is perhaps for the first time in the recent past, that the family of a serving Army officer has been targeted in an attack by extremists in northeast.
Colonel Viplav Tripathi, CO 46 Assam Rifles, who was killed in an ambush along with his wife, 8 year old son and 4 soldiers in Manipur today.
A big tragedy. pic.twitter.com/td0JtwdAqT— Man Aman Singh Chhina (@manaman_chhina) November 13, 2021
The Army, Assam Rifles and police have launched a massive combing operation in the area to nab the militants.
PM Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee, Director General of Assam Rifles Lt Gen P.C. Nair and several others have strongly condemned the attack.
Strongly condemn the attack on the Assam Rifles convoy in Manipur. I pay homage to those soldiers and family members who have been martyred today. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2021
“The cowardly attack on an Assam Rifles convoy in Churachandpur, Manipur, is extremely painful and condemnable. The nation has lost 5 brave soldiers including CO 46 AR and two family members. My condolences to the bereaved families. The perpetrators will be brought to justice soon,” Rajnath Singh said.
The cowardly attack on an Assam Rifles convoy in Churachandpur, Manipur is extremely painful & condemnable. The nation has lost 5 brave soldiers including CO 46 AR and two family members.
My condolences to the bereaved families. The perpetrators will be brought to justice soon.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) November 13, 2021
Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh had last week appealed to the militants to sit across a table for a negotiation to their demands, if any. He tweeted: “Strongly condemn the cowardly attack on a convoy of 46 AR which has reportedly killed few personnel including the CO & his family at CCpur today. The State forces & Para military are already on their job to track down the militants. The perpetrators will be brought to justice.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also slammed the Modi government over the terror attack saying “once again proves” that it is incapable of protecting the nation.
मणिपुर में सेना के क़ाफ़िले पर हुए आतंकी हमले से एक बार फिर साबित होता है कि मोदी सरकार राष्ट्र की सुरक्षा करने में असमर्थ है।
शहीदों को मेरी श्रद्धांजलि व उनके परिवारजनों को शोक संवेदनाएँ। देश आपके बलिदान को याद रखेगा।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 13, 2021
Manipur has over 40 insurgent groups for about four decades now, many of them are said to be lying low following peace deals with the government.
In 2015, 20 para-military personnel were killed in an attack by terrorists in Manipur, after which the Army had launched a surgical strike on their camps. Also Read & Watch: Rajasthan Cabinet Reshuffle: Sachin Pilot Meets Sonia Gandhi At 10 Janpath, Here’s What Was Discussed